Bill Text: NJ S1221 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Establishes program in DOE to reimburse school districts for providing menstrual products in certain public schools and requires State to pay costs.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-08-23 - Approved P.L.2023, c.147. [S1221 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-S1221-Amended.html
[Second Reprint]
SENATE, No. 1221
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
220th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 3, 2022
Sponsored by:
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex)
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Cunningham
SYNOPSIS
Establishes program in DOE to reimburse school districts for providing menstrual products in certain public schools and requires State to pay costs.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on December 5, 2022, with amendments.
An Act concerning the provision of 1[feminine hygiene] menstrual1 products in public schools and supplementing chapter 33 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
21. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. New Jersey recognizes that access to menstrual products is vital for ensuring the health, dignity, and full participation of all New Jerseyans in public life.
b. A lack of access to menstrual products during the school day has a direct impact on a student's academic performance and affects the student's overall educational outcomes.
c. Students lacking access to menstrual products experience higher rates of absences and are less able to focus and engage in the classroom when they are present. Absenteeism can lead to significant performance gaps and is linked to social disengagement, feelings of alienation, and adverse outcomes, even well into adulthood.
d. Expanding student access to menstrual products can result in increased attendance rates. A pilot program at a New York City high school saw a 2.4 percent increase in attendance in the participating school and subsequently, the state of New York enacted legislation providing free menstrual products to students.
e. By providing students with free access to menstrual products, the State can help reduce disparities in education and ensure that students are given the resources and educational access needed to meet their full potential.
f. It is the intent of the Legislature that this act provide for the health, dignity, and safety of menstruating students at every socioeconomic level, as well as to help normalize menstruation among all.2
2[1.] 2.2 a. As used in this section, 1["feminine hygiene] "menstrual1 products" mean tampons and sanitary napkins for use in connection with the menstrual cycle.
b. A school district shall ensure that students in each school educating students in grades 2[6] six2 through 12, or any combination thereof, have direct access to 1[feminine hygiene] menstrual1 products in 1[all of the] at least 50 percent of female1 2and gender-neutral2 school bathrooms free of charge.
c. Any costs incurred by a school district in providing an adequate supply of 1[feminine hygiene] menstrual1 products to meet the needs of its students shall be borne by the State.
2d. The Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Health, shall periodically review and assess whether the provision of free menstrual products pursuant to this act meets the needs of menstruating students, and, if necessary, shall make recommendations regarding the expansion of access to menstrual products to students in grades below grade six.2
2[2.] 3.2 This act shall take effect in the first full school year following the date of enactment.
